Ode to Writers Cafe Poets

Homage to you all

To all the poets of the Writers Café

I hereby pay homage to your enlightening array

of verses and lyrics which delight and dismay

using words I never knew-much less ever say!

 

You whirl and twirl your prose in stylish assertions

like a merry-go-round, with no discernable exertion!

I find myself lost and complete in my immersion,

I’m a poet at heart! Who knew?  But I’m certain

 

that had I not read such moving prose

my mind would yet see poems as foes,

written in language though sweet as a rose

would remain closed to me. Now, in silent repose

 

I have uncovered an extraordinary world

of battles with soldiers, mighty spears hurled

and scuffles with conscience, depression-words slurred

by battles with alcohol-drugs, bodies curled

 

in tight fetal positions and sometimes much shaking

your longing for love, acceptance, need taking

by someone past known, or one of your making,

the words are heartfelt, not one of you faking

 

your desires.  And sometimes your merry wit

brings spontaneous smiles while I sit

reading and learning, my lamps long lit

far in the night, in my own writing pit

 

created by me for just this endeavor

to learn, to absorb-by all means whatever

I can assemble, no matter the weather

outside, while in here, soul becomes light-like a feather!

 

You’ve welcomed my elementary works,

praising and encouraging-it always perks

my ego, my pride-you literary Young Turks

pulling from me rhymes with insistent jerks

that I try!  That I exercise my ‘till now unknown skill

of making use of language and bend to my will

words whirling and twirling in the same spinning reel

that you, dear poets, labor to instill

 

in me the same love of articulate expression

that comes to you naturally, free of oppression

from form, format and most certainly repression

that hinders one from total possession

 

of powerful wording to say what you mean,

to mean what you say, padded or lean,

stanzas with heart, pictures now seen

of what’s in your mind-so sharp!  So keen!

 

Now I humbly submit, this prose-so tame

compared to you poets, and it might sound lame,

but this time, dear fellows, it’s not the same,

for this modest offering-is in Miz Carol’s name!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

If you find issues, remember you inspired it!

Reviews

[Chase Dylan]

I read, and I read again, then I leave the page... Then I come back, read again, then once more... Perhaps I need another read... It just feels GOOD to ingest this with my eye-holes... A poetess of immaculate form... Amazing wordplay, and succinct delivery of thought make this a classic in the making... A coming of "poet" story... Hah, loved it loved it loved it... Say your name with pride, never disdain, Miz Carol the Gray

[Carol Cashes]

Miz Carol the Gray! In more ways than one, honey, more ways than one.

I'm quite honored by your words. You know you are one of those it was specifically written for (whirl and twirl those words!). I'm glad that you were able to read it, and know this - you were a big inspiration to try.

[Chase Dylan]

Ahhh, Amongst all my silliness... I missed this response... The most important one of them all...! You have no IDEA how honored and humbled I feel by your remark... I am genuinely blessed to have been part of your divine inspiration... Keep at it, and holy smokes... Keep going above and not below...Hahaha

[AprilRN1210]

how awesome is it to have this place? Friends, good times, amazing reads, and the sharing of ourselves.... add on another layer of seeing how you feel reflected back like this just deepens the connection and sends the positive energy, appreciation, admiration and love back out to us. Lovely writing and sentiment.

[Carol Cashes]

Thank you for reading it in the spirit and love with which it was written. I would never have guessed I could rhyme that many words before joining this site and am grateful to stretch the boundaries of my writing experience.

[Richard Layne]

That was so much fun! thank you

[Carol Cashes]

I'm glad you had "fun". I was sweatin' bullets the afternoon I wrote this. I'm haven't written a poem since High School English until I joined this site, but I had to try...so much inspiration!

[Richard Layne]

I'm glad i found it too. Lots of good people and great writing.

[Chris]

Chuckling here... welcome to our world.

[Carol Cashes]

I HATE feeling out of my depth, and when I first got here and began to read poetry, I felt a little inadequate. But, I'm not a coward - so I donned my water wings and jumped into the deep end. I still flounder...but I haven't got of the pool, yet. Thanks for reading this, the Cafe has been kind to me with this one.

[Chris]

We "poets" are a strange bunch ...chuckling here

[Joey Nizz]

Thank you for writing this piece for us! I really enjoyed reading it! Thank you Carol! ^^

[Carol Cashes]

*bowing* No, Joey, THANK YOU!!

[Joey Nizz]

Hehe you are most welcome ^^

[Joshua Carl Cruz]

third stanza from the top and the third stanza up from the bottom are the strongest in the run. this was an homage of humble praises and wonderful energy. i laughed when i read it was going to be a story and it was set in iambic format, laughed as i read it for it's obvious wit, and i laughed trying to picture you stepping out of the writers pit and into the poetry corner of the room. carol, i am pleased to have read something with as much lightheartedness as this poem contains. you have made my day

[Carol Cashes]

I'm so glad you liked it. I would never have considered myself a poet until I joined this site, but the inspiration here! Whew! While I still can't "swim" the poetry pool, I did write this with my water wings on and maybe soon, I can slip into the deep end.

[Richard🖌]

Ohhh, Carol!
First, a low, sweeping bow of humble affection for all the kudos and inspiring praise to us all.
For a blooming poetess, one would be hard pressed to find reason for holding back appreciative applause for your effulgently glowing efforts.
Excepting a few, your mono-rhymes are spot-on, your syntax virtually dances off the page, and how uniquely original to en-jamb so many lines that seamlessly breeze your reader smoothly as wet silk though every verse … honestly, I think this is better than 75% of those I read onsite, even though it could use some easy polishing here and there.
I'm truly amazed a writer of stories can compose such an epic piece without breaking mood and/or topic nuance, and the punch of your emotion sweeps one's senses up into the moment's ambience, as if we are feathers hoisted on a happy breeze.
You've managed to keep it simple, but deep, enjoyable but serious, embracing, but not too tightly so.
Truly, you wrote this from your heart … I can tell by the manner in which you labored to get it "just right" to gift us something that is your best.
You are not only a very skilled writer, you've a fine potential as an accomplished poetess, and you are a rare breed, indeed, Carol.

Thank you ever-so warmly and gratefully for slathering us with such wonderful icing … BIG, TEXAS-SIZED HUGGGS! ⁓ Richard ; )

[Carol Cashes]

First, in keeping with the spirit in which you wrote this glowing review - that you consider it worthy is high praise, indeed, and I'm glad that you "received" the intent and purpose of this piece.

Now: Daaang, Richard - it's a poem, not a check! Your reviews make me want to sit by the phone waitin' for Pulitzer to call! *laughing* It's a good thing I'm not wearin' a hat...

[Richard🖌]

When I speak in such a way, Carol, it is from the heart, and no one deserves it more-so than You! ; )

[Paul Bell]

You're such a modest girl. I feel you'll be rewarded for this repartee of words. Sending you a chunky kitkat to enjoy on your coffee break.

[Carol Cashes]

*snort* I'll take that "girl" and raise you two Milky Ways! Thanks for reading this. I'm tempted to try this again, soon. Just waitin' for the right inspiration.

[Paul Bell]

Second attempt merits a Yorkie Bar.

[Carol Cashes]

*Thesaurus is open* Hmmm...letta me see........

[Paul Bell]

Feeling brain movement here. You go girl. lol

[lostinthewaves]

This is inspiring, and I can't believe that you primarily post stories. I haven't had the chance to read any but I'll soon be checking them out. I want to continue to work until my poetry flows as beautifully as this. Thank you for sharing your talent.

[Carol Cashes]

My goodness, let your work flow as it will, and did in the one I've read so far. Stories you may like are Family Plots, The Last Winter, The Terrorist, and Rites of Passage. A lot of my more current works are really nothing more than "journal" entries about my mother and my husband's recent surgery. Thanks for reading this. As I told another reviewer, the Cafe has been kind to me about this entry.

[Greg Farina]

You have real talent. This is very well-put together!

[Carol Cashes]

I'm a story teller. This is my 4th poem...ever. Thanks for reading this, I sincerely appreciate it.